Shannon Hurley Interview
Shannon Hurley is a talented singer songwriter from America, who writes such good songs, that are a joy to the ears, She has a great sound and songs that are a joy to the ears. She has been praised by Rolling Stones and has played the Park Hyatt in Vietnam. Read about her new up coming album California which sure will be amazing and no doubt will be one of the best of the year.
1. Are you happy with how the new album has turned out?
I
am extremely happy with the way it turned out. The people I got to work
with on this album were my all-star team. Guy Erez (who produced
"Sunrise" and "Matter of Time" from my previous album "Ready to Wake
Up") was the one I had in mind all along to be on board this record, so
it’s nice that we got to do 4 new songs together.
am extremely happy with the way it turned out. The people I got to work
with on this album were my all-star team. Guy Erez (who produced
"Sunrise" and "Matter of Time" from my previous album "Ready to Wake
Up") was the one I had in mind all along to be on board this record, so
it’s nice that we got to do 4 new songs together.
Also
I have a sense of anticipation because almost nobody has heard these
songs yet. Only the players. I have kept the material top secret except
for a couple of tracks. The song "California" was written in 2008 and I
put a video out for that one. Earlier this year "Beg Steal
Borrow" was featured in the Emmy-nominated series "Venice".
I have a sense of anticipation because almost nobody has heard these
songs yet. Only the players. I have kept the material top secret except
for a couple of tracks. The song "California" was written in 2008 and I
put a video out for that one. Earlier this year "Beg Steal
Borrow" was featured in the Emmy-nominated series "Venice".
2. How were things different recording wise compared to the last album?
It
was very different because I produced seven out of the eleven songs, as
opposed to none on the last record. The four songs that Guy produced
were at least partially recorded in my bedroom studio and then I would
take files to him and we would layer everything together. I love the
patchwork of taking things you like from a demo and shaping it until you
get what you want.
was very different because I produced seven out of the eleven songs, as
opposed to none on the last record. The four songs that Guy produced
were at least partially recorded in my bedroom studio and then I would
take files to him and we would layer everything together. I love the
patchwork of taking things you like from a demo and shaping it until you
get what you want.
3. What has been the inspiration for the new album?
In
2009 my bassist/husband Ben and I decided to pack up and move from Los
Angeles to Nashville, TN. He was growing tired of the city (especially
having worked for a record label for 2 years and he has the
unbelievable stories to back it up). we both thought Nashville would be a
cool place to live. I wrote "California" as a love letter to the west
coast. It was then I knew I had intentions of writing a whole album on
the subject of my experience in Los Angeles. For the record, we moved
back to L.A. in 2010 🙂
2009 my bassist/husband Ben and I decided to pack up and move from Los
Angeles to Nashville, TN. He was growing tired of the city (especially
having worked for a record label for 2 years and he has the
unbelievable stories to back it up). we both thought Nashville would be a
cool place to live. I wrote "California" as a love letter to the west
coast. It was then I knew I had intentions of writing a whole album on
the subject of my experience in Los Angeles. For the record, we moved
back to L.A. in 2010 🙂
4. How is being solo different to the other project you are involved in?
My
solo stuff is unfiltered. I am writing straight from the heart,
autobiographical lyrics. It’s usually a little more conventional- you
know, piano, vocals, electric + acoustic guitars, bass and drums.
solo stuff is unfiltered. I am writing straight from the heart,
autobiographical lyrics. It’s usually a little more conventional- you
know, piano, vocals, electric + acoustic guitars, bass and drums.
Lovers
& Poets is still me, but through a different lens. I think it might
be like acting..Although it’s still me- I am playing more to a certain
angle. It’s
more chill-pop with electronic beats and loops, and more focus on a
rolling bass groove.
& Poets is still me, but through a different lens. I think it might
be like acting..Although it’s still me- I am playing more to a certain
angle. It’s
more chill-pop with electronic beats and loops, and more focus on a
rolling bass groove.
5. What inspires you when writing your songs?
I
just think about music. I think of songs by my favorite artists and I
try to find out what it is I like about those songs. Some days I have a
clear idea of a subject I want to write about but most days I stumble on
a chord progression or melody and that will dictate what the song is
about.
just think about music. I think of songs by my favorite artists and I
try to find out what it is I like about those songs. Some days I have a
clear idea of a subject I want to write about but most days I stumble on
a chord progression or melody and that will dictate what the song is
about.
6. How the internet & social media played a part in getting your music out there?
It’s
really all I have. I guess it’s the one thing I love to do, in terms of
promoting. Connecting with fans on twitter and facebook is really
enjoyable to me. It’s fun for me to design my own website and put my
music up for sale on cd baby. I love meta-tagging. Yes, I’m a
dork.
really all I have. I guess it’s the one thing I love to do, in terms of
promoting. Connecting with fans on twitter and facebook is really
enjoyable to me. It’s fun for me to design my own website and put my
music up for sale on cd baby. I love meta-tagging. Yes, I’m a
dork.
7. Where has been your favorite place to play so far?
My
favorite place is Taix Lounge (here in LA). It is a French restaurant
and all the people who listen are just so cool and they really give us
their ears when we play. I wish every place was like that!
favorite place is Taix Lounge (here in LA). It is a French restaurant
and all the people who listen are just so cool and they really give us
their ears when we play. I wish every place was like that!
8. What do you hope the new album will do for your music career?
I
want people to listen up when a song from the new album comes on. I
want people to say, "who is that?" I am hoping to become Mystery Girl.
It would be great to have some placements in some more tv shows and
movies. That is a goal I would love to see come true.
want people to listen up when a song from the new album comes on. I
want people to say, "who is that?" I am hoping to become Mystery Girl.
It would be great to have some placements in some more tv shows and
movies. That is a goal I would love to see come true.
9. What advice can you give to somebody wanting to make a music career?
I would tell them to practice. "How
do you get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice, practice, practice".
do you get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice, practice, practice".
10. Who has been your greatest help with your music so far?
By
far, it would be my husband Ben. He is so honest with me. Every song I
write, Ben hears it. He’s my sounding board for everything I do.
far, it would be my husband Ben. He is so honest with me. Every song I
write, Ben hears it. He’s my sounding board for everything I do.
11. What is next for Shannon Hurley?
I’ll
probably shift back in to Lovers & Poets mode for the next album.
I’ve also got a few things coming out in the trance world coming out
this year, so you might be hearing more about that soon. One is a track
called "Sun Gone Down" by Protoculture that I am featured on. In other
words, lots of fun stuff!
probably shift back in to Lovers & Poets mode for the next album.
I’ve also got a few things coming out in the trance world coming out
this year, so you might be hearing more about that soon. One is a track
called "Sun Gone Down" by Protoculture that I am featured on. In other
words, lots of fun stuff!
